On certain fabrics on our and other web sites you might see that durability or abrasion resistance of the fabric is listed. Various methods are used to determine the durability of a fabric. Two of the most common are the Martindale method and the Wyzenbeek method. What is involved in these tests and how do they help you determine if a fabric is durable enough for you?
The Martindale Method is used on a variety of fabrics including woven, non woven, household fabrics and industrial fabrics, although difficulties arie with fabrics having a pile more than 0.08 inches deep. This method employs the Martindale abrasion tester. Abrasion is measured by rubbing a flat fabric in a figure eight pattern (Lissajous figure). The number of cycles endured before the fabric begins to show objectionable change (yarn breaks, holes, pilling) determines the abrasion rating. A piece of worsted wool is commonly used as the abradant. The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) uses this method.
Martindale machine
Another commonly referenced test involves the Wyzenbeek Method. This test is performed using an oscillatory cylinder (Wyzenbeek machine). The machine pulls test samples of the fabric tight. Individual samples from the warp and weft of the fabric are then cut out and rubbed back and forth using a cotton duck cloth as the abradant. The number of double rubs the fabric endures before breaking or showing noticeable wear determines the abrasion rating. For vinyl, polyurethane coated upholstery fabrics and olefin fabrics a wire screen abradant is recommended. The Wyzenbeek and Martindale methods generally do not translate one to another.
Two other methods used to determine the abrasion rating of a fabric are the Taber and Schopper methods. The Taber Method uses two circular abrading wheels operating in opposite directions. The abrading wheels are made from rubber/aluminum oxide abrasive particles. The Schopper Method uses fine emery paper moved in a reversing circular motion. 
Taber machine
Of course, it is important to remember that how a testing machine measures abrasion in a fabric is only one of several factors that contribute to a fabric’s long term performance. Important factors in determining a fabric’s lifespan include fiber content, maintenance, furniture, cleaning, weaves, finishes, and usage.
Here are some sections of our web site where you will find fabrics that use these methods to rate their durability:
Labels: abrasion, auto-reupholstery, commercial-fabric, durability, office-upholstery, upholstering, upholstery
 Dear Netfah,My grandmother passed away last year and left a wealth of fabrics and materials from her life as an interior designer and upholsterer for some of Hollywoods A-list celebs. My daughter is interested in following in her footsteps and is slowly but surely nurturing her design skills and upholstering hand. I found what I beleive to be vinyl welting among her containers of goods and wondered what it was used for. Any insight?signed,Grandmother's WeltingDear Grandmother's Welting, My regards to your grandmother's passing. I am sure your grandmother is missed in Hollywood and can only imagine the legacy she left behind. In reference to the vinyl welting you found in her list of burried treasures, it is an important notion for gerneal upholsterers for sure. Welting is sewn into the seams of seats or cushions to strengthen them and imporve their durability. It usually comes in various styles including Embossed, Premier Textured, and Regal. The colors and finishes of these vinyl upholstery welting products add character and strength to any sewn projects. Most are produced with slit flanges for easy tailoring and workability and come in widths usually ranging from 3/8" to 1/2" wide. For best results, vinyl welting should be stored in an area that is clean, cool and dry to avoid mildew and damage from the elements. To view J&O Fabrics' selection of vinyl welting click here!To view J&O Fabrics' selection of sewing scissors click here!To view J&O Fabrics' other great decorative trim click here!***Send in your Ask Netfah questions to info@jandofabrics.com. We'd love to hear from you! ***Posts by J&O Fabrics StoreLabels: ask-etfah, Cording, interior-esign, Tassels, trim, trimming ideas, upholstery, upholstery-trim, vinyl-welting
Ultrasuede the Perfect Fabric for Any Occasion It was the winter of 1955 when the late Carl Perkins played a dance and noticed a couple dancing near the stage. The girl was gorgeous, he thought, and the boy wore blue suede shoes. As they danced the boy cautioned his date "don't step on my suedes." Perkins was bewildered that a guy would value shoes over a beautiful girl.  Later that night, Perkins was struck with an idea for a song based on that incident. He quickly grabbed a brown paper potato sack and wrote the song down, writing the title out as "Blue Swade, S-W-A-D-E". "I couldn't even spell it right," he has said. And this is the origin of the famous rock-n-roll tune, “Blue Suede Shoes".  Here at J&O not only do we carry the blue suede that made the shoes so popular, we carry over 50 tasty & colorful shades of ultrasuedes to bring your next project to life. From Creamy Coffee to Crocodile Brown, and every color in between, we are sure to have what you are looking for. With th  is synthetic ultra-microfiber fabric, you don't have to worry while out on the dancefloor either. No spilled drink or clumsy foot will mess this fabric up. Our ultrasuede looks and feels like natural suede, but it is resistant to stains and discoloration. It can be machine washed, and because it is a non-woven fabric, it will not pull or fray. For our animal activists and vegetarians, it is also free from any animal products.  So go ahead and make those cute diva hand bags with fun solid colors like Bubblegum Pink and Lipstick Red. Create unique chair covers with our fashionable Ultra suede prints like Retro Square Cream and Circuit Natural. Use our ultrasuede for footwear, interior decorating, vehicle upholstery, and so much more. Whatever the stretch of your imagination, have fun and let your creative side go wild. And if you're really in the mood, add a new color to those blue suede shoes! Labels: suede upholstery, ultra suede, ultrasuede, upholstery
The tip of an iceberg might only represent one ninth of its total mass, the rest being submerged. With J&O Fabrics, our fabulous online fabric store is similarly just the tip of the iceberg. Our store in Pennsauken, New Jersey has an even more extensive amount of fabrics than that which we carry online. For a store that exclusively sells online it is easy to loose focus on the customer. However, at J&O Fabrics the customer is our primary concern. In fact, a considerable portion of our customers are simply walk-ins who want to browse and feel the fabrics for themselves. Our longtime customers know - and our new customers soon find out - the benefits of being tended to in person by a friendly and knowledgeable staff. If you need help figuring out the yardage for drapes, valances, seat cushions or any other item, you can find a helping hand in our store. We are conveniently located off less than 5 miles of off such major thoroughfares as the New Jersey Turnpike and I-295. Off of the N.J. Turnpike take Exit 4 towards onto Route 73 West towards Philadelphia. From I-295 North take Exit 36-A onto Route 73 West. In about 30 minutes time or less (depending on traffic) we can be reached from Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Mt. Laurel, Berlin, Gloucester Township, Delran, Deptford, Voorhees, Camden, Burlington, Philadelphia (Philly) etc. In only about 45 minutes or less, you can also reach us from Hammonton, Ewing, Mount Holly, Trenton, Pitman and other points in Burlington, Camden, Cumberland and Pitman counties. In about an hour and fifteen minutes customers from Princeton, Atlantic City, New Brunswick, Lakewood, Toms River, etc. Once you get here you will find an incredible range of fabrics of every type. We carry drapery, dress, upholstery, quilting, craft and novelty fabrics. Our huge stock includes some of the most prominent names in the fabric industry as we carry the wares of such companies as Michael Miller, Timeless Treasures, Alexander Henry, Peachtree, Covington, Waverly, P. Kaufmann, Robert Allen and Maharam. Here is a selection:  Palm Tree Bark Cloth: Black
 Horizontal Stripe Indigo Denim
 Clifton Knolls Paisley
 Ayre Decorative Plaid
 Creme Linen
 Gold Sparkle Organza
 Daphne Rose L'Amour Satin
 Baby Blue Felt
 Baby Chicks Flannel
 Clemson Tigers Fleece
 Yacht Club Stripe Outdoor Fabric
 Anime Girls
 Jolly Roger Skulls
 Tropical Drinks
 Couperin Floral Tapestry
 Ambient Chenille Fabric
 Early Autumn Upholstery
 Retro Blue Marine Grade Vinyl
 Jungle Cat Cut Fur
 Bambi and Thumper Quilted Panel
 Bullion Fringe 6 Inch: Champagne
 Berry Cashmere/Wool Coating
Posts by J&O Fabrics StoreLabels: discount fabric, fabric-store, quilting, sewing, upholstery
Occasionally, fabrics that are called classic are really just outdated, and fabrics qualified as "modern" may have overbearing designs. Unlike either of those possibilities, Bonetti Velvet Flock Linen is a fabric that both modern and classic in the best senses of those words. Bonetti has a classic design in the sense of timeless elegance. It would be difficult to imagine a time when this design fabric would be considered anything less than beautiful. The timeless quality of Bonetti is also the key to understanding its modernity. This is a decorator fabric that - though it possess a classic design - can seemingly adapt to any fabric trends. The very design of Bonetti is an intriguing combination of two very disparate elements: velvet and linen. While velvet has always been considered a sumptuous fabric of the highest order, linen has a decidedly more rustic appeal. Nevertheless, Bonetti successfully combines those qualities into one incredible fabric. This most luxurious designer fabric is particularly suited to more formal areas of your home such as living rooms, dining rooms, studies, libraries and offices. However, it will look splendid in kitchens, family rooms and in other more casual surroundings. Furthermore, rather than detracting from your furniture Bonetti will accent and highlight it. 
Bonetti Velvet Flock Linen is just one of the hundreds of decorative fabrics we carry on our online fabric store. There are many other fantastic fabrics that you can browse through in our Decorative Fabrics category. Here you will find some of the finest and most popular fabrics we carry. Regardless of what you are looking for you will find it here, from futuristic designs to the stateliest patterns. If you would like to see the rest of our Linen Decorative Fabrics, click here. If you would enjoy browsing our Velvet Upholstery section, click here. Posts by J&O Fabrics StoreLabels: decorator, Designer-fabric, Linen, scroll, upholstery, velvet
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